October 3, 2024

SVSU receives award for innovation in supporting military affiliated students

SVSU continues to earn recognition for its commitment to military-affiliated students. Recently, the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency awarded SVSU its new Education Innovator Award in recognition of the university's deferred payment plan for eligible military students.

The MVAA Education Innovator Award recognizes an academic institution or staff who "developed a new process, method, technology or innovative service that will radically improve or transform on-campus experiences for military-connected students."

Beth Alford, SVSU's director of Military Student Affairs, explained that some military students do not receive tuition benefits until the end of the semester, creating financial strain when tuition payments are due early in the term. Through the deferred payment program, qualifying military-affiliated students pay their tuition at the end have a later payment deadline, allowing them to register for and continue with classes before tuition is paid.

John Koltvedt, a communication major from Saginaw, is a specialist in the U.S. Army National Guard. Affordability was a factor when he was deciding where to attend college.

"I selected SVSU, honestly, for the tuition cost," Koltvedt said. "Tuition is extremely affordable and (SVSU) allowed me to use my federal and state tuition assistance through the Army to cover tuition completely without having to pay out of pocket. I do not have to pay for tuition before receiving my reimbursement, thanks to the deferred payment program.

"The school is also in very good shape and has a beautiful campus," he added.

Koltvedt also appreciates the Military Student Affairs Office.

"As far as Military Affairs (Office), they are always helpful, and Bethany (Alford) is always willing to help and responds to my emails and inquires fast," Koltvedt said.

In addition, SVSU earned the MVAA's Veteran-Friendly - Gold designation for 2024-2025. This is the 10th consecutive year SVSU has been recognized as a Veteran-Friendly School.

To receive a gold level ranking, schools must meet six of the seven criteria:

1. A process for identification of veteran students
2. A veteran-specific website
3. An active veteran student organization or club
4. Veteran-specific career services, resources, advising and/or outcome monitoring
5. An on-campus veteran's coordinator and/or designated staff point of contact
6. A system to evaluate and reward academic credit based on prior military training and experience
7. Monitoring and evaluation of student veteran academic retention, progress, and graduation rates

SVSU was one of 44 academic institutions to be awarded Gold-level status. In all 62 institutions were named as Veteran-Friendly Schools.

The VFS program was created in 2015-16 to recognize academic institutions committed to supporting the needs of veterans and military-connected students.

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